The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into the life sciences field has created exciting new opportunities for advancements in diagnostics, therapeutics, and personalized medicine. However, obtaining patent protection for AI/ML-based inventions in life sciences can be difficult, particularly due to the challenges posed by US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) rejections under 35 U.S.C. § 101 , which governs patentable subject matter. Patent applications directed to inventions at the intersection of AI/ML and life sciences are frequently rejected at the patent office under subject matter ineligibility grounds – more frequently than other life sciences inventions. Patent applicants in this area must navigate the heightened scrutiny applied by patent examiners, who may issue rejections on dual grounds: (1) that claims are directed to an abstract idea, and (2) that claims are directed to a natural phenomenon. Life sciences enterprises are often familiar with Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories (2012), in which the Supreme Court ruled that natural laws, such as drug dosage correlations, are not patentable unless supplemented by additional, inventive steps. Meanwhile, in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International (2014), the Court held that abstract ideas such as those represented in computer-related inventions must include a significant inventive concept to be patent eligible under § 101. When life sciences companies utilizing AI/ML technologies pursue patent protection, it is common for their patent applications to face both types of subject matter eligibility rejections under § 101, particularly when the claims are viewed as directed to either abstract ideas or natural laws – or both. Inventions that incorporate AI/ML models often center around the use of data processing techniques, such as predictive modeling or the analysis of biological data. While these are powerful tools for advancing research and clinical applications, claims directed to these techniques are at risk of being categorized as directed to an abstract idea without significantly more technical elements necessary to be patent eligible. This risk is higher if a patent application’s claims are framed too broadly or focus only on general computational steps without clearly establishing a concrete, technical application. For example, claims that merely describe steps like "receiving data," "analyzing data," and "generating a prediction"—without grounding the process in a specific technical application such as within a specific biological or clinical workflow—risk being rejected under these grounds. This is a common challenge for life sciences innovations that use AI/ML for purposes like disease prediction or biomarker discovery. Additionally, AI/ML technologies applied to image processing, such as radiological imaging, play a critical role in medical diagnostics. Without reciting an explicit technical improvement or enhancement to existing AI/ML techniques, or otherwise integrating the inventive concept into a practical application, claims to such inventions may not meet the threshold for patentability under § 101. Another frequent basis for rejection is raised against claims directed to AI/ML models that work with biological data, such as genetic correlations or physiological responses. In particular, when claims rely on the detection or analysis of natural relationships (e.g., the correlation between gene mutations and disease risk), they can be rejected under § 101 for reflecting a natural law without a sufficient technological improvement. Simply applying AI/ML to recognize or model these biological phenomena may not be enough; the claims must reflect a transformative application that goes beyond mere observation of natural laws. For example, an AI system that identifies genetic mutations linked to cancer may face rejection if the invention is viewed by the patent office as merely reflecting a known biological relationship. In some cases, AI/ML-assisted life sciences inventions encounter dual rejections , where claims are simultaneously deemed ineligible due to being directed both to abstract ideas and to natural phenomena. For instance, a patent claim that describes a machine learning model analyzing biological data might face rejection as directed to an abstract idea due to the computational focus while also being rejected for reflecting a natural law if it only observes natural biological relationships without representing a technological improvement or novel clinical application. Consider a claim directed at a machine learning model that analyzes genomic sequences to predict disease susceptibility. If the claim simply recites data processing steps—such as inputting genomic data, processing the data, and producing an outcome—it could be rejected as being directed to an abstract idea. This type of rejection is more likely if the claim does not connect the use of an ML model with a specific technical improvement represented by the invention. Similarly, a claim involving AI technology to detect correlations between genetic mutations and cancer risk could be rejected under § 101 if it only describes the natural law—the relationship between mutations and disease risk—without presenting a transformative application, such as utilizing the AI model to guide therapeutic decisions in real-time, which might represent a practical and inventive application representing significantly more than simply an underlying abstract idea. Strategies to Obtain Patent Eligible AI/ML Claims One of the most effective strategies for avoiding § 101 issues is to tie the AI/ML process to a specific technical solution within the life sciences context. Instead of merely claiming the computational steps or data analysis, the patent application should focus on how the AI/ML system enhances a particular biological or clinical process. For example, if the AI model is used to predict disease risk based on genomic data, the claims should emphasize any novel preprocessing techniques, feature extraction methods, or advanced machine learning architectures that contribute to faster diagnostics, more accurate predictions, or improved clinical outcomes. This approach aligns with the Supreme Court’s guidance in Mayo by ensuring that claims involving natural phenomena, such as genetic correlations, include additional inventive steps that transform the natural law into a patent-eligible application. By focusing on how the AI/ML process improves the life sciences workflow—whether by reducing error rates, increasing efficiency, or providing more accurate diagnoses—the claims demonstrate a concrete, technical benefit that addresses both the Mayo and Alice issues. Another strategy for avoiding § 101 issues is to incorporate real-world transformations or hardware integration into the claims. By showing how the AI/ML system is connected to physical devices or real-world processes, the claims can move beyond abstract ideas and natural phenomena. For instance, AI-driven diagnostic tools could interact with medical devices (including wearable devices) to process biological samples, or AI models could adjust therapeutic dosages in real-time based on patient data. Linking the AI process to tangible outcomes, such as physical transformations or hardware interaction, strengthens the case for a claim’s eligibility. This approach directly addresses the Mayo requirement by showing how the AI system translates natural biological phenomena into a practical application. Likewise, it satisfies the Alice framework by introducing a significant inventive concept through real-world integration. In drafting the claims, care should be taken to avoid divided infringement between different third parties that may eviscerate the strong protection that well-written claims can offer to patentees, especially now where there are many thousands of patent applications already filed with the USPTO. Finally, it is crucial to go beyond generic data processing in the claims. AI/ML systems in life sciences should be characterized in a way that highlights how they uniquely process biological data, offering specific benefits that set them apart from standard computational models. For example, the AI model may include innovative error correction mechanisms to handle noisy biological data, or it may dynamically adapt to real-time patient inputs to enhance predictive accuracy. By emphasizing these unique data processing features, the claims move beyond generic data manipulation, making the invention more likely to be patent-eligible. This strategy addresses the dual concerns of Mayo and Alice , ensuring that the AI/ML system provides both a transformative application of natural laws and a significant inventive concept that distinguishes it from abstract ideas. Conclusion For life sciences companies developing AI/ML-assisted technologies, successfully navigating § 101 rejections requires a strategic focus on specific technical solutions , real-world applications , and innovative data processing methods . Beyond obtaining patents, enforcement under Section 101 raises additional considerations. Patent holders should be aware of potential attacks on validity during enforcement, particularly in litigation. Future articles in this series will delve into further strategies for successfully enforcing AI/ML life sciences patents. By partnering with sophisticated patent counsel to develop claims that highlight the tangible benefits and transformative use of AI/ML in biological and clinical contexts, life sciences companies can strengthen their patent applications and increase the likelihood of securing patent protection. As AI/ML continues to revolutionize the life sciences, robust patent strategies are critical to maintaining a competitive edge in this rapidly evolving industry.FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SaferWatch, a leader in advanced safety and security solutions, has unveiled its comprehensive Executive Protection service , designed to provide unmatched security for high-profile individuals and their teams. 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United States president-elect Donald Trump has chosen a highly decorated retired three-star general to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Keith Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a policy book laying out an 'America First' national security agenda for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social account, saying: "He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure peace through strength and make America and the world safe again." Kellogg, an 80-year-old retired Army lieutenant general, has long been Trump's top adviser on defence issues. He served as national security adviser to then-vice president Mike Pence, was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned. Trump's inner circle: A Fox News host, the world's richest man, and an admitted dog killer The White House has pushed more than US$56 billion ($86 billion) in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia's February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more before US President Joe Biden leaves office in less than months. Trump has criticised the billions the Biden administration has poured into Ukraine. The incoming Republican president has said he could end the war in 24 hours. As a co-chairman of the America First Policy Institute's Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group's policy book. In April, he wrote that "bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties". Trump's proposed national security adviser, Michael Waltz, wrote on social media platform X on Wednesday that "Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution". 'Severe escalation': Russia fires ballistic missile at Ukraine as Putin warns of 'global' conflict Kellogg was a character in multiple Trump investigations dating from his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which Trump prodded the Ukrainian leader to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the centre of the first of two house impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On 6 January 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the US Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence's national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of Biden's election victory. He later told house investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: "You're not tough enough to make the call."Hillenbrand Declares First Quarter Dividend of $0.225 Per Share

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The princely couple extended their congratulations to Max Verstappen on behalf of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, following his victory at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Sunday, November 24. With this triumph, Verstappen secured his fourth Formula 1 World Championship title, solidifying his legacy among motorsport icons such as Schumacher, Hamilton, Fangio, Prost, and Vettel. The Princess Charlene Foundation, dedicated to water safety and youth empowerment, commended Verstappen not only for his exceptional on-track achievements but also for his charitable contributions to the Foundation’s initiatives. In September, Verstappen demonstrated his commitment to the Foundation’s mission by donating a sidepod from his Formula 1 car for auction during the Calvi-Monaco Water Bike Challenge. This donation was instrumental in raising crucial funds for the Foundation’s work in preventing drowning and promoting water safety among young people. The Foundation expressed its deep gratitude to the Dutch driver for his unwavering support. His involvement has directly contributed to providing life-saving water safety training and awareness campaigns, empowering young people and fostering development through sport.Stock photo. (SimpleImages | Getty Images) SimpleImages | Getty Images Kevin Tampone | ktampone@syracuse.com The statewide minimum wage in New York is scheduled to rise. An increase to the wage of 50 cents an hour is set to take effect on Jan. 1, according to the state Labor Department . The increase will bring the minimum wage to $16.50 an hour in New York City, Westchester County and on Long Island. In the rest of the state, including Upstate New York, the new minimum wage will be $15.50 an hour. For the New York City area, the raise is an increase of about 3.1% and in the rest of the state, it’s a jump of about 3.3%. The increase means an extra $20 a week for a minimum wage earner working a full-time job at 40 hours per week. In Upstate New York, that would translate into pay of $620 a week. New York’s minimum wage is scheduled for another increase in 2026. That raise will also be for 50 cents an hour. After that, the minimum wage will increase by a three-year moving average of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers in the Northeast region. The increases in 2025 and 2026 and the planned indexing of the wage to inflation are the result of policy changes passed previously as part of the state budget process. The legislation included provisions that allow the wage to be frozen if the state’s economy weakens, so the raises aren’t guaranteed. The minimum wage in New York has increased substantially in the last 10 years. A decade ago it was $7.25 an hour. Once the latest set of increases are in place, the wage will have increased over 120% from that level in Upstate New York. Most Popular Stories by Kevin Tampone See the most expensive homes sold in Onondaga County in 2024 (photos) Mortgage lending rises in Syracuse metro area; growth leads NY New York school districts ranked from 1 to 609 based on new test scores in science See state ELA test opt-out rates for NY school districts for 2023-2024 school year Most expensive homes sold in Onondaga County in 2024

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Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Herc Holdings Inc. ( NYSE:HRI – Free Report ) by 6.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 395,229 shares of the transportation company’s stock after acquiring an additional 23,411 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned 1.39% of Herc worth $63,011,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of HRI. Tidal Investments LLC bought a new stake in Herc during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $990,000. SG Americas Securities LLC grew its stake in shares of Herc by 226.4% in the second quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 5,643 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $752,000 after acquiring an additional 3,914 shares during the last quarter. Quest Partners LLC increased its position in Herc by 15,137.8% during the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 6,857 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $914,000 after acquiring an additional 6,812 shares during the period. Lombard Odier Asset Management USA Corp increased its position in Herc by 265.6% during the second quarter. Lombard Odier Asset Management USA Corp now owns 9,534 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $1,271,000 after acquiring an additional 6,926 shares during the period. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP raised its stake in Herc by 1,230.2% during the 2nd quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 21,522 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $2,869,000 after purchasing an additional 19,904 shares during the last quarter. 93.11% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Insider Buying and Selling at Herc In related news, Director Michael A. Kelly sold 3,880 shares of Herc stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $208.83, for a total transaction of $810,260.40. Following the transaction, the director now owns 13,774 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,876,424.42. This trade represents a 21.98 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . Also, SVP Samuel Wade Sheek sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $213.12, for a total transaction of $1,065,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 21,586 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,600,408.32. This represents a 18.81 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders own 1.80% of the company’s stock. Herc Stock Up 1.0 % Herc ( NYSE:HRI – Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 22nd. The transportation company reported $4.35 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.48 by ($0.13). The business had revenue of $965.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $931.33 million. Herc had a net margin of 10.09% and a return on equity of 26.35%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $4.00 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Herc Holdings Inc. will post 13.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have recently issued reports on HRI shares. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Herc from $178.00 to $204.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Barclays raised their price objective on Herc from $175.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Herc from $200.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Herc presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $212.25. View Our Latest Analysis on Herc Herc Company Profile ( Free Report ) Herc Holdings Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an equipment rental supplier. It rents aerial, earthmoving, material handling, trucks and trailers, air compressors, compaction, and lighting equipment, as well as generators, and safety supplies and expendables; and provides ProSolutions, an industry specific solution based services, such as pumping solutions, power generation, climate control, remediation and restoration, and studio and production equipment. Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Herc Insider Trades May Not Tell You What You Think The Latest 13F Filings Are In: See Where Big Money Is Flowing Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG) Pulls Back After Shaky Guidance 3 Penny Stocks Ready to Break Out in 2025 What is the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)? FMC, Mosaic, Nutrien: Top Agricultural Stocks With Big Potential Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HRI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Herc Holdings Inc. ( NYSE:HRI – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Herc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Herc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Clemson left guard Trent Howard out with ACL tear for South Carolina gameDuke rallies from 14 down, beats Wake Forest 23-17 on final-play pass

WASHINGTON ― said Wednesday he won't drink "a drop of alcohol" if confirmed to lead the Pentagon, vowing to fight through a tumultuous nomination process amid allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse. The commitment from President-elect pick for follows that cited a whistleblower report alleging Hegseth was repeatedly intoxicated in his previous role as president of the nonprofit Concerned Veterans for America, even to the point of having to be carried out of the group's events. Hegseth has denied the report. on her SiriusXM show, Hegseth ‒ a former Fox News host and Army veteran ‒ referenced which prohibits military personnel from consuming alcohol during deployment. "That's how I view this role as Secretary of Defense is, I'm not going to have a drink, at all. And it's not hard for me because it's not a problem for me," Hegseth said. Hegseth added that he needs to make sure senators, U.S. troops, Trump and others know "when you call me 24/7, you're getting fully dialed-in Pete, just like you always did in Iraq and Afghanistan." "So this is the biggest deployment of my life, and there won't be a drop of alcohol on my lips while I'm doing it," he said. The New Yorker story cited three anonymous sources saying Hegseth stepped down from his leadership position at Concerned Veterans for America, which he held from 2013 to 2016, because of concerns about his mismanagement and alcohol use on the job. The publication also reported Hegseth was forced to leave a prior leadership post at the nonprofit Veterans for Freedom after the organization ran up substantial debt. The whistleblower report included a complaint that Hegseth was “totally sloshed” at a 2014 event in Virginia Beach and needed to be carried to his room because “he was so intoxicated.” It cited another instance at a Louisiana strip club in 2015 in which a drunk Hegseth allegedly had to be restrained from joining the dancers on the stage. Hegseth denied the episodes happened, insisting to Kelly that he didn't even visit this club with his co-workers. "If they're making up an instance of something where I didn't even attend, how can you believe a single other thing that any of these people are saying in any instance, to include being carried up to my room?" Hegseth said. Hegseth faces an uphill Senate confirmation after he was accused of sexual assault ‒ which he denies and for which he has never faced charges. Nevertheless, Hegseth vowed to push forward. "I spoke to the president-elect this morning. He said: 'Keep going, keep fighting. I’m behind you all the way,'" Hegseth told reporters Wednesday. "Why would I back down? I’ve always been a fighter. I'm here for the war fighters." Hegseth spent the day at the Capitol seeking to shore up support from Republican senators, while his mother, Penelope Hegseth, made an appeal for her son on Fox News. "Pete is a new person. He's redeemed, forgiven, changed," Penelope Hegseth said, addressing her own email she sent to her son in 2018 that said Hegseth was an “abuser of women” and that she has “no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around, and uses women for his own power and ego." Penelope Hegseth said she wrote the email out of “haste” and with “deep emotions.” She explained that her son had been going through a contentious divorce with his second wife at the time she wrote it. Although Trump has so far remained behind Hegseth publicly as his nominee for defense secretary, said the president-elect is considering replacing him with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, one of Trump's 2024 Republican primary opponents.None

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Funding research for economic return sounds good – but that’s not how science really works